In a critical series like the one being played between the No. 11-ranked Midland College softball team against No. 16 Howard College, games are going to come down to which team can take advantage of opportunities.

MC took advantage of Howard’s errors in the first game on Friday afternoon to race to an 8-1 win. But in the second game, the Lady Chaparrals left too many runners in scoring position as the Hawks held on for a 5-4 victory at the Midland College softball field.

The series will move to Big Spring at 1 p.m. as the teams play another doubleheader at Howard’s Foundation Field.

After Friday, the Lady Chaps (31-12, 16-6 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference) still find themselves four games back of the league-leading Hawks (37-12, 20-2) with six games left, but are also left wondering what could have been.

“I thought we played well in both games but we missed on some opportunities and left runners on in the second game that made a huge difference,” MC coach Tommy Ramos said. “Howard is a good team, so if you make any mental or physical mistakes, they make you pay for it. We didn’t take advantage of their mistakes in the second game. We got runners on and we should have been able to get a hit.”

MC tied the game at 4 with a sacrifice fly by Bianca Cerda in the third inning but left the bases loaded. The Lady Chaps also came up empty in the fourth and seventh innings when they left two runners stranded.

Howard got the eventual game-winning run in the fifth when Jackie Mercado (2-for-4) hit a leadoff double and later scored on a fielder’s choice by Madison Neff.

Kylie Shay got the win for Howard as she allowed four runs on eight hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. Julia Clark suffered the loss in relief.

Kassie Maddox (2-for-4) and Elizabeth Chastain also homered for Midland, while Melina Martinez also had two hits.

The Lady Chaps certainly took advantage of their opportunities in the first game as they scored eight unearned runs on Howard’s mistakes.

Howard had a 1-0 lead when the Lady Chaps rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Two Hawk errors helped to keep the inning alive and Chastain delivered the big blow with a grand slam to left field to cap a six-run frame.

“We came out with the right energy, the right effort,” Ramos said. “The girls’ attitude and approach were excellent. And they were relaxed, they wanted to play and have fun. I told them they shouldn’t rely on me to be their energy. They had to take the lead, and they did. I think it started in the circle with (Crystine Kistner) throwing a really good game.”

Kistner once again had a stellar game as she held a potent Howard lineup to just one run on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts. The freshman from Cabazon, California, also came in relief in the second game and fired 1 1/3 scoreless innings to go with two strikeouts.

“I felt good. I just played for my sophomores since it was ‘Sophomore Day,’” Kistner said.

On the big inning by MC, Kistner said: “(The Lady Chaps) know I feel more confident when they put up runs. It makes me want to work for them that much harder.”

Kiana Broderson-Jones, Bianca Cerda and Shaye Simms each had two hits for MC.

Madoline Seumalo, Megan Darling and Kylynn Lopez also each had two hits for Howard.

Ramos said today’s doubleheader will again be determined on which team takes advantage of the opportunities.

“It’s going to be tough,” Ramos said. “Obviously we’re going into their field and their crowd is going to be there. (The Hawks) will probably play a little harder because of the crowd that will be there. We just need to focus on us, play the game and not worry about who’s in the other dugout.”